Protective supporting package and process for manufacturing such package

ABSTRACT

A protective supporting a package of an object obtained from a rigid panel comprising a base provided with at least one beam-like structure composed of an alternated sequence of planar portions and folded portions made by folding the rigid panel along longitudinal folding lines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the invention

The present invention refers to a protective supporting package and aprocess for manufacturing such package.

2. Discussion of the Background

Various solutions are known for protective package structures adapted tobe inserted inside packaging boxes in order to protect the content fromshocks, dust and other contaminants during stocking or handling. Inparticular, protective packages are known which are adapted to create aninsulating and damping structure between the object to be protected andits containing box in such a way that, within acceptable limits,possible shocks on the walls of the box itself are not transferred, orare transferred to the object in its inside in a sufficiently attenuatedway. These protective packages are generally realized using a foldedcardboard sheet in order to create some fins which constitute theinsulating and damping structure (for example, EP-A-1 165 376, DE-U-20310 479, US-A-5 676 245).

These protective packages are also used for preventing uncontrolledmovements of the object packed inside its containing box duringhandling. For example, wrappings of plastic films (made of PVC or PE)are used to bind the object to a base of the protective package,subsequently protecting it from dust, shocks or other agents that couldjeopardize its integrity.

The above-described known protective packages assure however thesuitable degree of protection of the contents, using cardboard sheetsnecessarily having a high quality, structure and thickness. These latterfactors, obviously, negatively affect the manufacturing and use costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Consequently, an object of the present invention is to provide aprotective supporting package having a beam-like structure able toconfer a suitable protection to objects of various sizes during theirstocking and/or handling, having a lower cost than the prior art ones.

Another object of the present invention is providing a process formanufacturing a protective supporting package provided with a beam-likestructure effective to protect objects of various sizes and ofinexpensive production cost.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention, as willappear from the following description, are obtained with a protectivesupporting package as described herein.

Moreover, the above and other objects and advantages of the inventionare obtained with a process for manufacturing a protective supportingpackage as described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better described by some embodimentsthereof, provided merely as a non-limiting example, with reference tothe enclosed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a protectivesupporting package according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the protective supporting packageaccording to an embodiment of the present invention showing foldinglines thereof;

FIG. 3 a shows a sectional view of the package according to anembodiment of the present invention along section line B-B of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 b shows a sectional view of the package according to anembodiment of the present invention along section line A-A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the protective supporting package accordingto an embodiment of the present invention inserted in a package box;

FIG. 5 a shows a perspective view of the protective supporting packageaccording to an embodiment of the present invention in one of itsmanufacturing steps;

FIG. 5 b shows a perspective view of the protective supporting packageaccording to an embodiment of the present invention in another one ofits manufacturing steps;

FIG. 5 c shows a perspective view of the protective supporting packageaccording to an embodiment of the present invention in another one ofits manufacturing steps;

FIG. 5 d shows a perspective view of the protective supporting packageaccording to an embodiment of the present invention in another one ofits manufacturing steps; and

FIG. 5 e shows a perspective view of the protective supporting packageaccording to an embodiment of the present invention in another one ofits manufacturing steps.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A protective supporting package 1 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention may be adapted to be inserted inside package boxes 10in such a way as to protect an object 13 contained within from verticalor horizontal shocks, dust and other contaminants during stocking and/orhandling. Particularly, the package 1 is provided with at least abeam-like structure 3, formed by folding a rigid panel according tosuitable folding lines, described below, adapted to create an insulatingand damping structure between the object 13 to be protected and the box10 in which it is inserted (shown, for example, in FIG. 5 d).

Making particular reference to FIG. 1, it is possible to note that theprotective supporting package 1 comprises therefore asubstantially-rigid panel originally being in a planar form andadequately shaped and folded. As will be seen below in greater detail,in order to form at least a base 1 a and possibly at least one side wall(in FIG. 1 two side walls 1 b are shown, but it is clear that thepackage 1 could be provided with up to four side walls, one for eachside of the base 1 a besides possibly an upper cover (not shown)), thebase 1 a and/or the side walls 1 b having at least one beam-likestructure 3, described below, are obtained through a suitable folding ofthe rigid panel itself. In the Figures, an embodiment of the package 1is shown as a non-limiting example, provided with two beam-likestructures 3 on the base 1 a and eventually with two side walls 1 b,also provided with two beam-like structures 3, but it is clear that thenumber of beam-like structures 3 of the base 1 a and of the side walls 1b can be different, depending on applications and sizes of the packagebox 10.

The rigid panel, which may be of rectangular or square shape dependingon specific applications, can be of any substantially rigid material,but is able to be folded with relative easiness and is sufficientlyflexible to provide a suitable protection in case of shocks, as forexample cardboard, corrugated cardboard or plastics.

With reference to FIG. 2, a rigid panel 7 is shown provided with foldinglines to make the package 1. Folding lines are also provided to makeeach beam-like structure 3 of the base 1 a. The rigid panel is dividedinto a sequence of planar portions 7 a and folding portions 7 b bylongitudinal folding lines 8 a; as shown in FIG. 3 a. To make eachbeam-like structure 3, the rigid panel 7 is divided into at least threeplanar portions 7 a, interposed by at least two folding portions 7 bseparated by longitudinal folding lines 8 a.

With reference to FIG. 3 b, to make the beam-like structure 3, pushingforces are applied to the rigid panel 7 substantially parallel to thedirection of arrows F_(S). Consequently, the planar portions 7 a drawnear and the folding portions 7 b are folded up along the folding lines8 a in comparison to the adjoining planar portions 7 a, substantiallyparallel to the directions of arrows F_(P). Each planar portion 7 a isadjacent to folding portions 7 b of the same beam-like structure 3.Planar portion 7 a is moved in the direction of arrow F_(B) to get abeam-like structure 3 as shown in FIG. 3 b. Forces are applied until anangular value α, shown in FIG. 3 b and suitable to the application ofthe package 1 and the sizes of the box 10 adapted to contain it, isobtained. Particularly, a common angular value α is 90°, but it is clearthat packages 1 with beam-like structures 3 having different angles,greater or smaller than 90°, can also be made and effectively used.

Again with reference to FIG. 2, to create the side walls 1 b of thepackage 1 from the same rigid panel 7 provided with at least a beam-likestructure 3 joined to the structure of the base 1 a, the samelongitudinal folding lines 8 a used for making the beam-like structures3 of the base 1 are used, such lines extending on the portion of rigidpanel 7 that become a side wall 1 b. The rigid panel 7 is provided withtransverse folding lines 8 b orthogonal to the longitudinal foldinglines 8 a. The transverse folding lines 8 b of the planar portions 7 aare mutually joined by oblique folding lines 8 c of the folding portions7 b and tilted by 45° in comparison to the longitudinal folding lines 8a as shown in FIG. 2. Therefore, applying to the base 1 a a force in thedirection of arrows F_(S) as previously described, the side walls 1 bare tilted according to arrow P of FIG. 5 b due to the position of thetransverse 8 b and oblique 8 c folding lines to move into asubstantially orthogonal position with respect to the base 1 a. As aresult of the movement of base 1 b, the folding portions 7 b tilt incomparison with the planar portions 7 a to form the beam-like structures3 also on each side wall 1 b. An extreme portion of each beam-likestructure 3 of the side walls 1 b is housed inside the similar beam-likestructure 3 of the base 1 a.

In order to prevent the packed object 13 from uncontrollably movinginside its package box 10 when handling, it is possible to use wrappingsmade of plastic films 15 (for example made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC)or polyethylene (PE)) to preferably bind the object 13 to the base 1 aof the package 1. This also provides a useful protection from shocks orother forces which could damage the packed object, above all when theobject 13 is an electric or electronic component.

In order to increase the adherence of the plastic film 15 to the package1 and to limit or to subsequently prevent possible movements of theobject 13, it is advantageously possible to provide the base 1 a andeventually the side walls 1 b with at least a non-linear retaining sideedge 17, having indented or preferably rounded shapes (as shown in theFigures, in which the base 1 a of the package 1 is provided with twonon-linear retaining side edges 17).

Therefore, when the object 13 is positioned inside the package 1according to an embodiment of the present invention and eventually woundby one or more wrappings of plastic film 15, everything can be insertedinside a package box 10, as shown in FIG. 5 e. Taking into account afollowing handling or stocking; FIG. 4 shows as an example a package 1without side walls 1 b inserted in a package box 10.

In order to provide a planar contact surface between the object 13 andthe base 1 a of the package 1, it is possible to provide at least onesupporting plan 19, also preferably made of cardboard, corrugatedcardboard or plastics, arranged between the object 13 and the base 1 a.The at least one supporting plan 19 may be provided with side seats 21adapted to house therein the beam-like structures 3 of the side walls 1b and guarantee a stable joint.

As previously described, the beam-like structure 3 of the package 1provides, due to its own intrinsic geometric and shape characteristics,high protection against vertical shocks and, when there are side walls 1b, horizontal shocks. By using cardboard or other materials for makingthe rigid panel 7, as for example regenerated and/or non-fibrous paper(which is extremely inexpensive), an extremely inexpensive but veryefficient and functional protective supporting package 1 may be made.

It is also clear that the package 1 can be simply and at any time madefrom the rigid panel 7 provided with the folding lines, allowingtherefore a simple and optimal stocking of the rigid panels themselvesand the rapid creation of the package 1 only when it is necessary to useit. Besides, it is clear that the package 1 not only is reusable butthat after every use it may be reconverted to the rigid panel 7 for itsoptimum stocking in view of a next future use.

The present invention also refers to a process for manufacturing thepackage 1 according to the present invention; particularly such processincludes:

creating a rigid panel 7 provided with longitudinal folding lines 8 afor making at least one beam-like structure 3 in the base 1 a andoptionally of transverse 8 b and oblique 8 c folding lines for thecreation of at least one side wall 1 b optionally provided with abeam-like structure 3, and optionally creating non-linear retaining sideedges 17 of the plastic film 15 on the rigid panel 7 (FIG. 5 a);

forming the package 1 by applying pushing forces F_(S) to the base 1 ain order to create at least one beam-like structure 3 and optionally theside walls 1 b also optionally provided with at least one beam-likestructure 3 (FIG. 5 b);

optionally placing a supporting plan 19 on the base 1 a of the package 1(FIG. 5 c);

placing an object 13 on the base 1 a of the package 1 and optionallybinding it to the base 1 a itself with at least one wrapping of aplastic film 15 (FIG. 5 d); and

optionally inserting the package 1 in a package box 10 (FIG. 5 c).

It is clear that the steps of the process according to the presentinvention can be simply and quickly manually performed by an operator;however, it is also clear that the same steps could be performed, forexample in case in which huge volumes make it necessary, throughautomatic or semiautomatic packaging lines, substantially known in theart and adaptable to the manipulation of the inventive package 1.

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is thereforeto be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, theinvention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically describedherein.

1. A protective supporting package of an object obtained from a rigidpanel, comprising: a base provided with at least one beam-like structureincluding an alternating sequence of planar portions and folded portionsmade by folding said rigid panel along longitudinal folding lines.
 2. Apackage according to claim 1, wherein said rigid panel is made ofcardboard, corrugated cardboard or plastics.
 3. A package according toclaim 1, wherein said rigid panel comprises at least one side wallprovided with at least one of said at least one beam-like structure madeby folding said rigid panel along said longitudinal folding lines,transverse folding lines and oblique folding lines.
 4. A packageaccording to claim 1, wherein said object is bound to said base throughat least one wrapping of a plastic film.
 5. A package according to claim1, wherein said base is provided with at least one non-linear retainingside edge of at least one wrapping of said plastic film.
 6. A packageaccording to claim 1, wherein said side wall is provided with at leastone non-linear retaining side edge of at least one wrapping of saidplastic film.
 7. A package according to claim 1, further comprising atleast one supporting plan inserted between said object and said base. 8.A package according to claim 7, wherein said supporting plan is providedwith side seats adapted to house one of said at least beam-likestructure of said side walls.
 9. A package according to claim 1, whereinsaid package is inserted in a package box.
 10. A process formanufacturing a package comprising: creating a rigid panel provided withlongitudinal folding lines for making at least one beam-like structurein a base; forming said package by applying pushing forces to said baseto create said at least one beam-like structure; and positioning saidobject on said base of said package.
 11. A process according to claim10, further comprising: providing said rigid panel with transversefolding lines and oblique folding lines for making at least one sidewall provided with said at least one beam-like structure.
 12. A processaccording to claim 10, further comprising: providing said rigid panelwith non-linear retaining side edges of plastic film.
 13. A processaccording to claim 10, further comprising: applying pushing forces tosaid base to create said side walls provided with at least one beam-likestructure.
 14. A process according to claim 10, further comprising:positioning a supporting plan on said base of said package.
 15. Aprocess according to claim 10, further comprising: binding said objecton said base of said package with at least one wrapping of plastic film.16. A process according to claim 10, further comprising: inserting saidpackage into said package box.